Sixteen mile creek confusion, help in bozeman area.

I just recently moved to Bozeman MT. i have been out scouting for next years elk season. on the north end of the bridgers there is an area off Sixteen mile creek rd. one map i have shows it as all National Forest and so does every other online map including BLM and google earth. my national forest map shows it as all private. i drove up to the area to check for myself. when i got to where the maps say there is national forest there was a crude plywood sign that said it was all private. but the road was still ok to drive on. so it confuses me to why a farm/ranch would ok travle threw their property if there is no public land? and why all the newer maps, the NF map is printed in the 70's, would show its public land. and all the searching i did online shows that there is hiking trails and points of interest.

thanks for the reply. i turned around at the "Jensen ranch", didnt want to trespass. ill go in tomorrow and ask. looks like really good elk country. ive seen quite a few elk on the west slope of the bridgers but seems like they all were crossing back and forth from the private to public.

I don't know how it works in Montana but here in Idaho you can go to the county seat at the court house depending on the county and pull up a map covering an area of interest. The maps here show the boundaries for BLM, National Forest, Wilderness and private property along with the private property owners names. These maps are upgraded on a regular basis by county officials.

With a map program on your computer and using the provided maps I can get corner coordinates of adjoining private and public property and enter into my GPS so there is no mistake as to where you are.

__________________

Jim

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. Sir Winston Churchill.

Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom. Einstein

j man
I can assure you that BLM land is "not" privately owned. If it has been sold or traded,then for sure it is now in private ownership. The Federal Government owns the land (us) and it is managed in a multiple use concept for all users.
The road could be open because it is designated as a county road or the FS or BLM or State has an easement for public access, through it.
As already mentioned a trip to the Court House or local BLM or the FS office should clear it up. If the county plat maps have a v designation on those sections then its BLM managed land.
Another option that is encountered in all of the western states, is that the BLM own's a portion of the lands in the area and not along the roadway, the BLM parcels are then landlocked by the private land.
My last Idaho hunt (three weeks ago) took place in a similar area, The road entering the area is private on both sides and "some" of the private lands are posted no hunting some are not.